I have been a fan of Alison’s food design work and dining experiences since I discovered Savour Cinema. This new and first collaboration involved books, based on the Butter novel I just finished in December.
No details were spared for this literary dinner, in support of NGO Room to read – literacy for children around the world.
If you haven’t yet read the book, I won’t include any spoilers. A synopsis: The protagonist Rika Machida is a journalist obsessed with uncovering/diving into the mind of an overweight gourmand Manako Kajii, who has been accused of killing three men. Delicious recipes that feature butter are peppered throughout the book as friendships and relationships are strained and mended.
The plot was great, as are the feminist themes and relationship dynamics explored in the book. The food was so creative and absolutely delicious on theme.
There was time to interact with other diners who are also book lovers, and book people are truly the best people. I took my friend Catriona to celebrate her 80th birthday. She’s been a mother figure and mentor to me since we met over Cancer Connect, a support group for cancer patients.
I thoroughly enjoyed every course of the meal, and it was such a treat to see how Alison had interpreted the dishes in the book – they all tasted AMAZING.
A simple delicious dish of butter on rice with soy sauce and a cured egg yolk references The Story of Little Sambo and a scene where the tigers chase each other around a tree till they churn into butter.
So much subtext and references on power, stereotypes and in this case the Sambo book is one of imperialism and racism, yet the powers at/of play..
The beef bourguignon (NOT beef stew) is the piece de resistance of the book, a quintessential French dish in the household and restaurants. Alison nailed it with her version of the classic.
A beautiful nod to Joel Robuchon Tokyo’s dish of persimmons and foie gras.
Mac n cheese with red prawn – something the protagonist never got to master to serve her now deceased father.
Turkey à la Japonaise, served in a turkey broth with soba noodles and yuzu garnish.
I forgot to get a photo of the comforting slice of pound cake, but here’s one of Catriona beginning the first of her 80th birthday celebrations!
